Box Trailer Bike Transport

[Cameron J]

Hi all,

Any suggestions on the best way to transport a trials bike on a box trailer?

Is it OK to strap it down with ratchet tie-down straps that compress the forks?


Ta,

Cameron J01 Beta REV3 250

[S.E.Lucas]

I always tie the front wheel in and the back wheel so they both don't move then just tie one to each side of the handlebars to hold it up. Strapping them down usually ruins the seals.

If you're only putting one bike in it's easiest to put the front wheel in a corner and do it diagonally.

[KTMSprocket]

Better not to compress the forks.

Tricky in a box trailer if the sides are too high. Otherwise...

Run the tie down strap around the fork leg just above the bracket that holds the fron guard on. Do it so the hook fatens back on the tie-down strap material itself.

Do same for other side and set bike so it is standing on its own, but ever so sligthyl leaning to one side. Then pull down on the bars on the higher side such that the front tyre is flattening. At the same time pull the opposite tie-down tight. This will make the bike upright and not compress the forks.

Using some webbing, tie the fron wheel to the fron of the trailer.

If you can arrange an anchor point, you can also put a compression strap from a footpeg, straight tp the floor of the trailer....and and do this with the rear suspension slightly compressed. This stops the rear of the bike hopping around in the trailer.

[richardr]

Hi,

Whenever I tie down my trusty (or was that 'rusty') Beta on the box trailer, I have a big chunk of that white foam that is used around computers etc. (Not styrene but the other kind of translucent white stuff).

I wedge the lump of foam between the forks, resting on top of the front mudguard. I then tie the bike down from the handlebars. The foam prevents the forks from compressing more than about 5 cm.

I have seen other people use foam covered lengths of PVC Pipe or even a small kids ball that fitted in there.

The main thing is, I can pull down very strongly on my tie-down straps, the bike is quite secure and the forks don't compress more than a couple of fingers width.


keep your feet up.

[Phil]

Hi Cameron
Here are a couple of options for you when I use my trailer I use a tiedown brace the ones that I have made are from
12 mm plywood.
The second is you could get one of my towbar mounted motorcycle carrier if you are only transporting one bike
you can have a look at my racks in Other motorcycle-related items for sale.
Have a look at the photo attached.

Thanks.
Phil

[Scorps]

Howdy Y'all,

I don't use anything. I tie my bike down via handlebars and tie-downs. I usually compress the forks about an inch or two. I do not believe this has any adverse effects on the fork seals.

By tying down the bike we are increasing spring tension, and slightly internal air/oil pressure. Spring tension has no effect on the seals (spring tension is an axial force, the seals work in radial force). The only increased force on the seals is the compression of the internal air of the forks. This compression is far far less than the pressure experienced in the oil during a heavy landing (think of the pressure created trying to jam 350mL oil through a pinhole in .01sec).

It is for this reason I don't put anything between the forks when tying down, and it guarantees no damage to mudguard/axle/triple clamps in the process.

My method: Push front wheel hard against trailer/ute bed, Tie down from both sides of bars to points slightly in front of bars (to pull the bike against trailer/ute), and get them as wide as possible for best stability (think a triangle with a bigger base as possible - very stable). Run rope from ones side of trailer/ute around rear most section of rear tire, and tie off on other side. Presto - 1 secured bike (or 4 as I can get in the back of my ute)

So in response to OP, you method is perfectly fine, save the hassle of spacers and the like and just tie it down with 1 to 2 inches of travel used. Dont forget to wedge the rear wheel in or tie off securely.

And I add that I believe fork spacers to be an old wives tale that annoys me (which is why i bothered to reply).

Cheers,
Your friendly neighbourhood ScorpaMan
Scorps (Fussy engineering geek)

[S.E.Lucas]

I can think of 4 bikes that I've had that have started leaking from the fork seals while in the trailer with the forks compressed. 1 or 2 inches doesn't really matter., most fork brace thingies seem to have that much room anyway.

[KTMSprocket]

Just one point...
If you tie down and just allow the fork springs to keep the bike rigid, sideways moevement of the bike can trigger the straps to unhitch...thus allowing the bike to fall or leave the trailer!!!!

Also remember that if you have to stop the vehicle in a hurry, the bike can try to join you through the rear windscreen if its not tied properly.

[S.E.Lucas]

Just one point...
If you tie down and just allow the fork springs to keep the bike rigid, sideways moevement of the bike can trigger the straps to unhitch...thus allowing the bike to fall or leave the trailer!!!!

Also remember that if you have to stop the vehicle in a hurry, the bike can try to join you through the rear windscreen if its not tied properly.

Always happened to me when I used those straps with the hooks

[yoda]

Doesn't it hurt to see your bike falling off the trailer!! I dropped a brand new yz125 one day!

The main thing with trials bikes seems to be to make sure the back wheel cant jump around, if thats right, you should be golden! i do the tie downs just above the fork brace too, works really good.